Château Laroze Saint-Emilion 2020 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Located at the foot of the hillside south of the village, the 27-hectare vineyard—a single contiguous plot—rests on ancient sandy soil with a deep clay subsoil. Cultivated without chemical fertilizers or herbicides, and now advised by Hubert de Boüard, the estate has retained its unforced, natural style, but the wines still lack a bit of body and complexity overall to rival the best.

Decanter

About the wine:

Juicy and supple, with lovely, full-bodied tannins—not chewy, but ones that fill the mouth with a chalky texture. I also really like the fresh blue fruit and the salty notes. It’s not the most complex yet, but it’s fresh and spirited. Bold and full of character, it perhaps falls a bit short, with the texture only serving to dampen the fruit’s persistence, but it’s structured and seems well-crafted. It’s dark and brooding, with noticeable licorice notes, but it will be delicious. 2025–2036

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

The nose, complex and harmonious, with notes of red fruit and spices, opens the tasting with elegance. This is followed by a powerful yet smooth structure, with freshness, tight tannins supported by a well-defined, assertive barrel-aging, and a long, toasty finish. 2027–2032

About the estate:

A descendant of a family with a history in winemaking dating back to 1610, Georges Gurchy founded the estate in 1882. His descendants, the Meslin family, are still at the helm: Guy succeeded his father, Georges, as head of the estate in 1990. Classified since 1955, the estate boasts a substantial vineyard covering 27 hectares on clay-sand soils, west of Saint-Émilion.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Consistently rated since 1955, the estate—founded in 1882 by the family of Guy Meslin, the current owner—is recognized as one of Saint-Émilion’s safest bets. It makes the most of its hillside terroir, which is largely sandy. While some recent vintages have a one-dimensional character—rich but lacking nuance—the very latest ones show clear improvement. Full-bodied, approachable, and subtle, they will express themselves early on in the pleasant style for which the terroir is well-suited.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Aromas of ripe dark berries, dried herbs, lavender, cocoa, and dried orange peel. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, with juicy tannins and a delicious fruity character. It is well-structured, with an opulent, full-bodied palate and a lively, lingering finish. Best enjoyed after 2025.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

As usual, Laroze reveals itself slowly, especially on the nose. Inviting fruity, floral, and spicy notes. On the palate, the wine displays great finesse thanks to precise, velvety tannins that provide a perfect foundation, complemented by structuring acidity. An elegant and promising wine that deserves some aging. 2025–2040

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is refined, offering freshness, a touch of intensity, as well as a certain power and a hint of depth. It features notes of crushed blackcurrant, fleshy boysenberry, and, to a lesser extent, strawberry, combined with hints of plump, ripe red berries, fresh violet, and lily, as well as hints of spice, toast, and zan, along with a subtle hint of green pepper and mocha. On the palate, it is fruity, balanced, and subtly tight, offering a delicious, juicy, and tangy profile, along with subtle tension, concentration, good definition, and good structure. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy, fleshy wild blackcurrant, juicy, fresh small black berries, and, more subtly, vibrant raspberry, combined with hints of small black berries, violet, cardamom, and zan, as well as hints of spice, mocha, and a subtle hint of toasted almond. The tannins are precise, refined, elegant, and provide structure.

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About the wine:

Intense purple color with violet highlights and a black core. An expressive nose with aromas reminiscent of mocha and dark chocolate, smoky minerality, blackberries and wild blackberries, juicy plums, chili pepper, and bay leaf in the background. Well-structured on the palate with ripe tannins, gentle acidity, great freshness, and aromatic depth. A wine with density and length.

Bernard Burtschy

About the wine:

The wine has a dark garnet color with intense aromas dominated by raspberry notes from a superb Cabernet Franc. It is light and supple, full of charm, with a lovely finish, without the slightest hint of heaviness—a little miracle of balance.